Originally published on 12/5/25

The iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City is officially lit up! That’s right, 30 Rock—home of Today, Jenna & Friends, Nightly News and more—is feeling festive, fun and fabulous. But where is the tree from this year? And what happens to it once the holiday season is over? We share everything you need to know about the tree below! 

Where is the Rockefeller tree from this year? 

This year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree is 75 feet tall, covered in 50,000 multicolored LED lights and has a 900-pound Swarovski star on top. Before making its journey to 30 Rock, the spruce graced the Russ family’s yard in East Greenbush, New York. The family was overjoyed to donate it as a way to honor their patriarch, Dan, who passed away five years ago at just 32 years old.

“As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been here for this moment,” Judy Russ said in an interview with NBC before the tree lighting. “We always talked about it being the (Rockefeller Center) tree. It’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s, if not the world’s, Christmas tree.”

“I cry at home in my living room when the tree is lit, so I’m probably going to be inconsolable that day, but it’s going to be great,” Judy continued. “Spread joy, spread cheer, love one another. Think of our family, think of my husband, think of us. We’re just happy to share it with everybody.” 

Also eager for people to see the tree? Judy and Dan’s 7-year-old son Liam, who told the outlet, “I’m excited that the whole world can see it.” 

How is the Rockefeller tree chosen? 

The Rockefeller tree is chosen by head gardener Erik Pauze, who visits dozens of neighborhoods throughout the year in the hopes of finding that one perfect Norway spruce. 

“It’s a lot of fun to be on a journey every year, it’s exciting,” he told Today. “You don’t want to be in the way, you don’t want to take over the neighborhood. You want to come and go as nobody even noticed you were there.” 

“Every tree has its own story, and that’s what makes every tree special in its own way,” he continued. “The Norway spruce is a big, beautiful, strong tree. We put a lot of lights on it, there’s a lot of wires, there’s a lot of cables. There’s the eight-inch pipe that goes 32 feet down into the tree that holds the 900-pound Swarovski star. So, the Norway spruce is the perfect tree to do all that work.” 

Pauze has been doing the job for decades. “I want somebody else to have that experience that I had when Mom and Dad took me down to see the Christmas tree at Rock Center when I was a kid.”

“That’s what I want, that’s what I look for, that’s what I take very seriously,” Pauze continued. “As long as I’m able to do it, I want to do this job. It’s really exciting. It’s really fun. I really love the relationships that I’ve built over the years.”

What happens to the Rockefeller tree after Christmas? 

After the holidays, the Rockefeller tree is turned into lumber used by Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps build houses for people in need. 

“The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a reminder to reflect, be thankful and to remember to give back to others among the hustle and bustle of the holidays. That symbol will live on as part of Habitat homeowners’ lives in their new houses,” Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International said in a statement. 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/life/holidays/where-is-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-from-this-year